Fundraising & Funding Resources

Below you will find suggestions about how to fund raise for your organization.  Look at the left menu item to find out about funding resources on campus.

FUNDRAISING

Your organization may decide that fundraising is a good way to raise money for your group. Here are a few important things to remember when you are organizing a fundraiser:

  • All fundraising events must be sponsored by a registered student organization. Events should be registered at least 2 week before the event date.  
  • All financial transactions must be handled by members of the student organization.
  • All funds raised from the event should be deposited into the student organization’s MU Account (MU 215).
  • An individual or individuals of the student organization may not participate for private financial gain.
  • If collecting currency, use a cash box from the MU Accounting (MU 215).
  • All checks must be written to the student organization.
  • Event admission charges shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, disabled veteran, or Vietnam-era veteran status.
  • All costs associated with the use of state tax-supported facilities must be paid by the student organization.
Need a fundraising idea? Here are just few!
  • Coffee and donut sale
  • Bagel and pretzel sale
  • Candy sale
  • Bake sale (make sure items are properly packaged and from a licensed kitchen)
  • Auction
  • Balloon sale
  • Art/poster sale
  • Plant/Flower sale
  • Buttons/t-shirts/bumper sticker/other
  • Holiday bazaar
  • Benefit dance/concert
  • Student-faculty talent/art show
  • Birthday cake delivery
  • Singing message
  • Finals care package
  • Tournaments/Contests
  • Banquets/roasts
  • Progressive dinner party
  • Merchant donations
  • Pledges
  • Membership dues
  • Immobile bicycle-a-thon
  • Marathons (run, walk, jog, eat, see-saw, dance, cards, board games, etc.)
  • Antique show
  • Ushers for events
  • Art fair
  • Haunted house
  • Provide work force for events
  • Car wash
  • Recycling drive
  • Guess beans in a jar (or variation)

Funding Resources

Funding Resources

Student organization funding may come from many different sources.  Some organizations institute dues or participation fees, host fundraisers or solicit funding from many places including those listed below.  Student organization fundraising activities being held on campus must be reported through the student organization database.  The Student Events & Activities Center can provide ideas for successful fundraisers.


Student-Fee-Funded Organizations
Student fees are utilized to support student organization development and activies.  These funds are made available through a number of funding boards, depending on unique criteria (i.e. sport clubs are funded through the recreational sports board).  Additionally, some student organizations receive annual funding or fund balance allocation through the Educational Activities Committee.

Educational Activities
Recognized student organizations may be able to receive funding from the Educational Activities Committee (ED-ACT) which exists to support the cultural and intellectual community on campus, to address the needs of students who are members of an underrepresented group, and to increase student retention through the contribution of extracurricular programs. For information about applying for or accessing ED-ACT funds visit the ED-ACT website.
 
Student Foundation
Student organizations can apply for funding from the Student Foundation. The foundation will consider funding events, equipment purchases, travel, and more. To apply, pick-up an application in the Student Events & Activities Center, MU 103. You can also email student_foundation@oregonstate.edu or find visit the Student Foundation Website.
 
Departments
If your club or organization affiliated with a campus department, you may be able to request financial assistance. Some of the key components to a request include showing how the department and students within the department would benefit.
 
Community Businesses or Organizations
You may want to consider requesting funds from a community business or organization (some examples include grocery stores, CH2MHill, banks, HP, new businesses, restaurants). Sponsorship requests to companies or corporations should be made in writing with a professional quality letter or proposal. Include the purpose of the request, the history of the program, type of recognition offered to donors, and instructions on how to make the gift. It is important to follow-up with an in-person visit.
 
National Organization
Some student organizations may find national organizations or grants will support their activities. Use your advisor and other professional resources to help locate these opportunities.






Money Management

Money Management

How you manage your funds is often dependant on your funding source.  For funds that student organizations directly raise through dues, fundraisers, etc, the Memorial Union provides access to a student organization Funds in Trust (FIT) account (information below).  For all other funding sources, contact that budget authority to identify appropriate use and documentation of money expendatures.  

Memorial Union Accounting Office

The MU Accounting Office provides the following services:

  1. Accepts and records deposits of organization’s funds

  2. Processes requests for checks to pay bill

  3. Issues cash reimbursements

  4. Keeps a running balance of organizational funds

  5. Provides a monthly online statement on the status of your account

  6. Provides cash boxes for student organization events

Having an account with the MU does not put restrictions on the use of your money, and it is an excellent resource for record keeping and money management.

If you have already set up your MU account, you can access it using the following link:

https://bfpsystems.oregonstate.edu/OpenReport/IndexLookup.aspx

The trick to accessing this page is that you have to be within the campus firewall (i.e. accessing any campus-networked computer or accessing the campus network remotely). Computers in residence halls, labs, the library, and public spaces (including the MU) should have access to the campus network.

The MU Accounting Office is located in MU 215 and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. For further information stop by or call 541.737.2306.